What is the recommended treatment for cardiac tamponade?

• A. Defibrillation
• B. High-dose diuretics
• C. Pericardiocentesis
• D. Observation

Answer: (C)

The essential idea is that tamponade causes the heart to be compressed by fluid in the pericardial sac, so the heart can’t fill properly during diastole and cardiac output drops. The treatment must promptly relieve that pressure. Draining the pericardial space directly accomplishes this, restoring normal filling and hemodynamics. Pericardiocentesis is the fastest and most direct way to achieve decompression, and it can be life-saving in an unstable child.

Defibrillation doesn’t address the mechanical compression of the heart; it’s used for certain rhythm disturbances, not for tamponade. High-dose diuretics would further decrease preload and worsen the situation. Observation leaves the pressure untreated, allowing deterioration. So, draining the fluid via pericardiocentesis is the best match for reversing the underlying problem in cardiac tamponade.